Thanks for the input on websites that you folks use in the UK. I really appreciate the local knowledge and suggestions. I have modified the original post to include some of the links that were sent in ...

UK

1. The weekend is coming up or you have some time off coming and you are thinking about riding in a day or so. Look into the forecast for your riding area. Some sites that may be worth a look include the following. Check them out and select the ones that work best for you and your area in the UK:

1. The day is here or almost so check the color radar. Look for embedded storm cells in squalls moving towards you or forming in your area. Temper this with LOCAL knowledge as conditions can change radically in only an hour sometimes.
In the UK you can checkout:

(HELP - is there another site with larger graphics to aid in interpretation?)

2. Check realtime wind reports. If there are strong gust spikes and/or sudden direction changes examine the radar particularly for that area. If it looks like something unstable in on the way in consider not launching. See if there are severe weather warnings, if there are pay attention.
You can checkout:

3. DECIDE, if based upon this and PAST experience with similar systems if something nasty is likely to slam down on you or not. Ask other people in your area, windsurfers, sailors and tuned in kiteboarders for example. The UK has only a few CENTURIES, more accurately over a millenium of going down to sea in ships, leather craft, whatever, so ask some of the weather savy types. Tell him what you are looking for and what you would like to avoid.

4. If you decide to go, STAY AWARE, at all times of the weather. Things like cloud lines, wind direction and velocity, white caps, temperature changes. Good chance you are a wind junkie already so play the complete roll and tune into wx. Talk among your water friends compare notes about signs to chase down and those to steer well clear of.

5. If you see a squall moving in, get to shore well IN ADVANCE of any change in wind speed, direction or temperature. Anchor your kite very well and detach the lines. Guys have already been severely injured by waiting too late in this. Lets try to cut down on repititons of these avoidable accidents.

6. If you ride with a bunch of regulars at your local launch consider getting an airhorn(s) and agreeing on a SQUALL'S ON - ALL IN signal. Something like three fast blasts repeated. Some also hoist a red flag at times like this. Try to look after your own in this, the squall doesn't discriminate and will spank anyone that is in the way.

If UK riders could post more information about seasonal unstable weather, things like summer squalls, fall blows, etc. it would be great to add more specifics for riders to consider when evaluating conditions.

So there's a start. Others have done this before and probably better too and they may actually live there, which helps! Still for those that may not know about these resources and how they can improve the odds of good riding, please look into them.
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Last edited by RickI on Sun Apr 25, 2004 2:33 am, edited 2 times in total.

Great sites mickpilch, thanks! They provide some nice information. Something that I have never been able to find, until yesterday, is a color radar site that works and covers the UK. The scale of radar images shown at:

is a bit small. Does anyone know of a site with larger graphics? Even this site gives you some important insight into the violence potential of squalls that are moving in. Otherwise they are just clouds moving in and who knows if they will kick butt or just cover the sun beyond a certain point.

Also, I have been looking around for a site with graphical realtime wind data. That is one that shows gusts, lulls and average winds. I seem to recall seeing one of these a while back but can't find the link.